Steep increase in export figures of Turkish furniture sector led to change the name of Exporters’ Association.
Turkish Furniture sector revealed its value by increasing its exports threefold in 10 years. The sector also revealed its place in the sector previously named as Wooden and Forestry Products, one of the 26 sectors under which Turkish exporters are organized with its USD 2.9 billion worth of exports. Following the increase in exports, the name of the sector was changed to Furniture Paper and Forestry Products. The name of the Exporters Association under the auspices of Aegean Exporters Associations also changed as Aegean Furniture Paper and Forestry Products Exporters Association
With a notification numbered as 2015/1 issued by Ministry of Economy in the Official Gazette dated February 1, 2015 the names of Aegean, Mediterranean, Istanbul and The Central Anatolian Wooden and Forestry Products Exporters Associations changed as Furniture
Paper and Forestry Products Exporters Associations. The latest change in the name of exporters associations seen in 2008 as the Livestock and Aqua Products sector was renamed as Aqua and Animal Products sector. Mr. Nurettin Tarakçıoğlu, Chairman of Board of Aegean Furniture Paper and Forestry Products Exporters Association stated that Turkey’s furniture exports continuously increased during last ten years, from USD 958,8 million of 2005 to USD 2 billion 981 million and made a significant progress in the fields of design and branding and as a result strengthened its position in global markets 
Profile of the sector; 200.000 employment, 18.000 exporters, 35.000 enterprises… Turkish Furniture sector heading toward its export target with “Design Contest” and “R&D Project Market” events..
Mr. Tarakçıoğlu also told that 200.000 workers are employed in the furniture sector by almost 35.000 enterprises with different capacities, more than 7.000 of them are being exporters. Mr. Tarakçıoğlu added: “Turkish Furniture sector targets USD 10 billion worth of exports in the year 2023, the four exporters associations in the sector organize together the 8th Furniture Design Contest event in 2015. These events contribute a lot to the design and branding efforts of the sector. With the brand-new ergonomic and stylish designs, the Turkish Furniture sector increases its share in world markets. Furthermore, the second R&D Project Market event during the last year is amongst one of the important dynamics stimulating the dynamism of our sector. So as to provide the continuity of increase in our exports, we decided to change the name of our sector and with this change we are also aiming at creating a new synergy. The share of furniture products in the exports of Turkish Furniture Paper and Forestry Products Sector increased from 55% to 66% from the year 2004 to 2014.
Mr. Tarakçıoğlu lastly stated that Turkey exports furniture products more than 200 countries, the leading ones are being Iraq, Russian Federation, Libya, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, Iran.
